ANIMAL WELFARE IN TRANSPORT

Farmers have a legal responsibility to ensure their animals are transported in a way that won’t cause injury or unnecessary suffering to them. You can view detailed information here.

In brief, when moving animals, you must transport them in a way that won’t cause them injury or unnecessary suffering. Law that governs the welfare of animals during transport applies to anyone who transports live, vertebrate animals in connection with ‘economic activity’ - i.e. a business or trade. Welfare during transport rules require all journeys to be logged (date, time, duration etc.). For journeys up to eight hours involving any species of animal as part of an economic activity, you must have an Animal Transport Certificate (ATC) or similar document. However, if you are a farmer transporting your own animals under 50 kilometres, you are exempt from ATC requirements. If you’re transporting animals for less than 65 kilometres (about 40 miles), it’s not necessary for vehicles to be authorised or for drivers/handlers to hold certificates of competence. However, an ATC is required and your drivers and handlers must have had some form of relevant training (though this can be gained through a combination of on-the-job instruction and practical experience). Drivers or attendants responsible for transporting farmed animals over 65 kilometres must hold a relevant certificate of competence. These are independently assessed qualifications specific to the person’s role - i.e. driver or attendant. The species and duration of journeys involved is also a factor in the qualification. The person taking the qualification can include:
 * those involved in journeys of under eight hours (they can be assessed by a theory test)
 * those involved in journeys over eight hours (they must also pass a practical assessment)